This is a reminder that the Friends have three events coming up in close succession over the next few weeks all of which offer quite different experiences!

Firstly, on Saturday 31st May, Jacqueline Rose will be leading a Springtime Wildflower Walk through the Country Park. Jacqueline is a very knowledgeable botanist and her walks always prove extremely popular. Meet at the Visitor Centre at 10.30am.

Those of you who feel in need of a little gentle exercise in the open air will appreciate our session of Tai Chi Qigong on Saturday 7th June led, as last year, by Catherine Burnett. This event is suitable for both beginners and those with a bit more experience. Meet at the Visitor Centre at 10.30am.

There will be a buzz in the air on Saturday 14th June as Dr Nikki Gammans of the Bumblebee Conservation Trust talks to us about her work, including the re-introduction of the short-haired bumblebee to the Dungeness area, before taking us out into the field (with nets and collectiing pots) to see how many species of bumblebee we can identify. Places on this event must be booked beforehand by contacting either Jan Armour on: 01424 715556 or Jacqueline Rose on: 01424 441635.

Questions about developments at Rocklands have continued to be a major source of concern to many members. We are very closely involved in discussions with the council on this subject, and should have further news in the coming week or two. In the meantime, do look at planning application HS/FA/14/00406 if you have a moment, and please add your comments. This link should take you directly to the relevant page:

Last Saturday morning saw a group of eager participants assembled in the Milking Parlour Field Centre at Place Farm to listen to Karen Hammond from the National Trust telling us all about our local bats.

Karen is based at Bodiam Castle where the ruins provide a home for several species of bat and she also runs a rescue service for injured or orphaned bats.

At the end of her fascinating and informative talk, Karen showed us two of the bats she has been looking after – a Common Pipistrelle and a Natterer’s.

Don't leave it to the last minute to book a place for our talk about Bats to be given by Karen Hammond of the National Trust on Saturday 17th May at 10.30am in the Milking Parlour Field Centre at Fairlight Place Farm (full directions will be given on booking)

The talk will be suitable for adults and older children and will last about 1.5 hours. We are hoping that Karen, who is based at Bodiam Castle, will be able to bring along some live bats, if they have woken from their hibernation!

Here are two moths you may come across during the daytime in the Country Park at the moment. The Brown Silver-line can be seen resting on bracken or other vegetation , the Speckled Yellow is quite conspicuous as it flies around the cliff edge paths, looking like a tiny yellow butterfly